Kendra’s last line was for me, in a way. I get upset when I see blood and gore, even in costume. Zombie parties, they don’t set well with me, sadly. And so it’s nice to know it’s really just mild surprises and frosting.

One of these days, I’d like to host a really scary party. The kind where all the scares are more real than you can stand. The host, somebody you don’t know, opens the door and peers quizzically and asks, “Do I know you?” There are no ashtrays but the air is full of cigar smoke. All the liquor is the kind that has something floating in it, and half the bottles are too dark to see in and the other half, whatever was in there is too decayed to make out. The pop all has Red Dye # 3 in it and all the fresh fruit is unwashed. The appetizers come on an aluminum tray that looks used, as if it came from somebody else’s office party and held something else. The music alternates between garage grunge, Perry Como and Neil Diamond, and it has commercials. Someone you don’t know is passed out in the bathroom. It may be a dummy. Maybe not. Your cell phone shows one bar. And when you try to leave, there’s a tow truck and a police car with lights on by your car, and under it, his feet sticking out, a mechanic, making a long, low whistle.

I can’t stand gore either; even blatantly faked gore as seen in the likes of Monty Python. It’s heartening to know I’m not the only one with that issue ^_^

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A full color graphic novel "Little Dee And The Penguin" featuring the cast of Little Dee (and written and illustrated by me) is being published April 5, 2016 by Penguin/Dial and is available for pre-order. (more information on the Penguin website)